Yaro leads All-City Boys Soccer team

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

Joshua Yaro

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Joshua Yaro is the kind of soccer player who can win a ball in his 18-yard box and then lead the breakout that usually results in a quality scoring chance.

His athleticism, skill, speed, awareness and leadership set him apart on the pitch. Those qualities helped Cate win a pair of CIF Division 7 titles in 2011 and 2012 and reach the Division 6 semifinals this past season.

Presidio Sports is pleased to recognize Yaro as the Most Valuable Player on its All-City Boys Soccer Team.

The players selected to the team are: Geoffrey Acheampong of Cate, Jelan Hutton, Peter Gamboa, Alec Larson and Elvis Mancilla of Santa Barbara, Omar Montalvo and Forbes Bainou of Dos Pueblos, Ian Hall of San Marcos, Luis Ortiz of Bishop Diego and Genaro Hurtado and Eduardo Mejia of Carpinteria.

Yaro, who signed a letter of intent with NCAA Division 1 College Cup runner-up Georgetown, was a special player for the Rams and coach Peter Mack.

“Joshua’s work ethic is beyond compare,” Mack said this season. “He’s the fastest player on the field, he has great field vision, and I have yet to see a high school player with his defensive abilities and instincts.”

He noted when Yaro came forward on Cate set pieces, the Rams would “send two or three guys back in his place, because one can’t cover for what he does out there.”

As a centerback, he scored 16 goals and had 10 assists.

One of Yaro’s greatest qualities at Cate was his ability to raise the level of play of his teammates.

Mack said Yaro’s work ethic was contagious. “That’s the kind of team we’ve become and that’s because of the standards Josh has brought with him,” the coach said following a quarterfinal win over Ontario Christian.”

He added: “I don’t think Georgetown understands quite what they have in him just yet; they will soon enough.”

The high school All-City teams are selected by Presidio Sports to recognize the top high school student-athletes competing on the South Coast from Santa Barbara, Goleta and Carpinteria.

Based upon on-court performance and team leadership, each All-City selection will receive a special award certificate and be recognized online at PresidioSports.com and in print in the Santa Barbara Sentinel.

PRESIDIO SPORTS’ ALL-CITY BOYS SOCCER TEAM

MVP: Joshua Yaro, Sr., Cate School

Jelan Hutton, Sr., Santa Barbara: The senior center back was one of the leaders of a defense that allowed only 22 goals in 28 matches, including 17 shutouts. Hutton was an All-CIF First-Team selection for Division 1 and a Channel League First Teamer.

Peter Gamboa, Sr., Santa Barbara: A solid and steady defender who also was a goal-scoring threat for the 21-5-2 Dons on set pieces. “I’m not sure where our season would’ve been without these two,” Santa Barbara coach Todd Heil said of Hutton and Gamboa. Gamboa was an All-CIF Second-Team selection for Division 1 and a Channel League First Teamer.

Alec Larson, Sr., Santa Barbara: A speedster on the wing for the Dons, could score goals (8) and deliver quality crosses into the box. Larson also made the Channel League’s First Team.

Omar Montalvo, Sr., Dos Pueblos: The powerful forward was tough for opponents to handle. He easily led the team in goals with 15 and added six assists. First Team Channel League.

Forbes Bainou, Sr., Dos Pueblos: A mid-fielder who had a knack of finding teammates for good goal-scoring opportunities. The team captain also had an incredibly strong boot with the ability to score from outside the 18. First Team Channel League.

Ian Hall, Sr., San Marcos: Hall could attack and play tough defense in the midfield. He led the Royals with five goals and six assists. The team captain is on the Channel League’s Second Team.

Geoffrey Acheampong, So., Cate: A terrific dribbler and passer, Acheampong was the motor of the Rams’ attack. He scored 15 goals and dished out 15 assists. All-CIF First Team for Division 6.

Luis Ortiz, Jr., Bishop Diego: Ortiz spearheaded the Cardinals’ attack and helped them reach the second round of the CIF playoffs. He scored 13 goals and had nine assists. All-Frontier League First Team selection.

Genaro Hurtado, Sr., Carpinteria: Hurtado led the Warriors’ defense and provided goal scoring on set pieces. Hurtado made the Tri-Valley League First Team.

Eduardo Mejia, Sr., Carpinteria: Also on the Tri-Valley League’s First Team, Mejia ran the attack for the co-TVL champions.